"Project Fourteen-A aims to inspire disadvantaged young people and adults to believe they can create for themselves excellent careers in the beauty industry."

The initiative is aimed at fostering activity based training and work placement opportunities, working within the most economically and socially disadvantaged areas of Wales.

Project Fourteen-A is a new project aimed at ‘hard to reach individuals', especially women, the low skilled, lone parents, ethnic minorities, the disabled, ex offenders and the economically inactive who need tailored support to enter or re-enter the labour market. This initiative will contribute to the economic and social regeneration of the region, by raising aspirations, increasing social integration, developing skills and retaining talent.

This new concept will engage with economically inactive young people and adults, offering training opportunities in a wide range of Hairdressing, Beauty and Holistic Therapies. Having completed their training the project will then provide real job placements for the newly qualified therapists through its community salons. The Fourteen-A salons will provide beauty services of the highest quality, with the profits being ploughed back to fund the programme.

The philosophy is to learn the necessary skills through a range of intensive practical courses, ultimately achieving a recognised qualification, then moving directly into a paid work placement. The objective is to help inspire and create confidence and self belief.

"Project Fourteen-A aims to liberate talent, extend opportunity and empower the community by providing skills and jobs, therefore enabling prosperity and creating a sustainable future economy."